Articles | Volume 30, issue 8
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-2433-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-2433-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
28 Apr 2026
Research article |
| 28 Apr 2026
| 28 Apr 2026
Climate change and irrigation expansion reshape the water pressure and upstream–downstream interactions in the Lancang–Mekong River Basin
Hongling Zhao
State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
Zilong Zhao
State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
Khosro Morovati
State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
Dongsheng Zhang
International Bamboo and Rattan Organization, Beijing, 100102, China
State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
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Short summary
This study quantifies irrigation water pressure and upstream–downstream interactions in the Lancang–Mekong Basin under climate change. Results show increasing irrigation pressure, with dry-season demand reaching 59 % of available water by 2040. Key subregions exhibit a structural shift from internally to externally driven pressures, highlighting spatial heterogeneity and nonlinear dynamics. Findings inform vulnerable components, transboundary responsibility, and differentiated water governance.
This study quantifies irrigation water pressure and upstream–downstream interactions in the...
